Darfur MPs vow to hold accountable any official involved in tribal clashes
August 28, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Darfur MPs at the national parliament vowed to hold accountable any person involved in the recent tribal clashes between the Rezeigat and Maalia in Eastern Darfur state even if it was the governor himself.
Over Hundred people were killed when the fighting broke out on 11 August between the two tribes in Kilaikil, a disputed area located north of El- Daein the state capital.
The Maalia accused the governor Abdel Hamid Musa Kasha of supporting his tribe. He was even attacked by youth Maalia who attempted to kill him when he came to Adila, one day after the clashes, to meet their leader in a bid to calm down the tribal tensions.
Kasha was also accused of trying to mislead public opinion and the national government when he spoke about the involvement of SLM – Minni Minnawi in the fighting alongside the Maalia.
The head of Darfur caucus in the National Assembly, Hamid Abdallah Hamad, announced Wednesday that the federal government has formed a fact finding committee to investigate the tribal clashes.
In press statements after a meeting of Darfur caucus members of parliament Hamad said the prosecution will include any one involved in the clashes “even if it was about influential government officials, me or the governor or anybody else”, he stressed.
The two sides agreed last Sunday to cease hostilities and to negotiate a peaceful settlement for the conflict. However Maalia refused any involvement of the state’s government and it was North Darfur governor Osman Kibir, from the Berti tribe, who brokered the agreement.
In line with this agreement the government would investigate the clashes and determine the responsibilities of both sides before to hold a reconciliation conference.
Hamad confirmed that the government will hold the conference next November . he also expressed the caucus’s support to the expected presidential to strategy to end tribal conflicts in Darfur saying they hope to be consulted about it.
(ST)